"Shugen, the big seedling is back, did you know?" Fang Shugen's mother asked Fang Shugen during dinner.
"I know, but what does his return have to do with me?"
"I heard he's making money outside, and he's been sending money to Meixiang's family before. Meixiang's mother is telling everyone, she wants the whole village to know that her son-in-law can make money."
Why do you meddle so much in other people's business?
“I saw him when I passed by the shop this afternoon. His clothes were shiny. It’s probably true that money is easy to make outside. Even a lazy person like him can make money. With your hardworking hands, you’ll be even more remarkable when you go out.”
"Mother, do you want me to go too?"
“I’m thinking about it, but Hua Mei will be able to have a second child the year after next,” she glanced at Hua Mei, “and next year you’ll have to stay home and let her get pregnant first. I was thinking about this while I was cooking. If she gets pregnant now, she can give birth in the second half of next year, but if the time comes before that, we’ll be fined.”
Fang Shugen also looked at Hua Mei, "I wouldn't feel comfortable letting her go out like this."
“What’s there to worry about? She’ll love the baby she gave birth to. You see, even when she’s not in her right mind, she’s never been careless when it comes to taking care of Hua Hua. Although she doesn’t dress up her daughter like that crazy Ji Hong does, she still bathes and changes Hua Hua’s clothes and keeps her clean. She’s much better than that crazy Mei Xiang. Mei Xiang only got along well with her parents and two sisters, who helped her raise her son.”
"Mom, why are you talking about other people's business while you're eating?" Fang Shugen interrupted her.
“I want to compare too! Everyone says there are three lunatics in the village, but I’ll only feel better if our family is a little better than them.” Fang Shugen’s mother kept going on and on. “That Jihong, she doesn’t seem abnormal when she’s doing chores or taking care of the kids, but when she starts talking, oh my, she’s really shameless, you can’t even listen to her. And what rural woman dresses like that? How could a docile woman dress like that? And her third brother is useless, I really don’t know who he’s trying to impress?”
Fang Shugen's mother spoke as if it were her meal, saying more than she ate, and getting more and more energetic as she spoke.
Hua Mei was only concerned with whether she and Hua Hua were full. She kept glancing at Hua Hua's bowl to see if she had finished eating while she ate.
Fang Shugen had gotten used to his mother's nagging, eating his own food and occasionally responding with a "hmm" or "oh".
“Shugen, what’s the point of all this? When you meet Da Miao, you just politely greet him. Next year, when Hua Mei gets pregnant in the second half of next year, and he comes back for the New Year, you can still make money. You should go and see him, and earn more money. Staying at home all year round, you just barely make ends meet and don’t see any money at all.”
"Mother, let's talk about next year's matters next year during the Spring Festival." Fang Shugen took a bite of rice.
"Hey, you're such an honest person, you don't understand any social etiquette. If you're more polite and familiar with Da Miao now, it will be easier to ask her if you really want to. If you don't go, you won't lose a piece of flesh because of a few smiles and words. People should plan for the long term."
"Okay, okay, okay, Mother, I understand." Fang Shugen nodded helplessly.
As Lunar New Year's Eve approaches, the village feels as if it's wrapped in a warm, cozy blanket. The smoke from the chimneys rises higher than usual, the aroma of food is stronger than ever, and even the people walking on the road have a warm, eager-to-get-home look on their faces.
Fang Damiao and Fang Meixiang went to Fang Meixiang's house as soon as they got up in the morning.
"Da Miao, let's chop some firewood together for the New Year today."
"Okay, Dad, just tell me if anything's wrong. I won't cook anymore, I have plenty of time."
Fang Damiao and Fang Meixiang's parents ask him to do things, and he will do them; if they don't ask him, he will just play.
Fish and meat were hanging on the front of Yuan Xinkang's bicycle, and a jar of old wine wrapped in straw was tied to the iron frame on the back seat, with a box of pastries on top of the wine.
Yuan Xinkang is not familiar with most of the villagers. Others know him, but he doesn't know them. "Meili's husband is so polite. He sent over New Year's gifts before even offering his New Year's greetings."
"Brother, when did you get back?" Fang Meixiang's father and Fang Damiao were chopping firewood at the door.
"I've been back for a few days now, Xin Kang. I heard your shop is doing very well."
"Hmm, it's alright."
Fang Meixiang's mother, wearing an apron, came out of the house and called out, "Xin Kang is here!"
“Mom, Mei Li is heavily pregnant and it’s inconvenient for her to come over. The shop is also busy during the New Year, so my mom asked me to deliver it to her.”
"Your mother is too kind. There's no need for her to come all this way when you're so busy at home."
"Yes, yes." Yuan Xinkang took the things off the car.
Fang Damiao subconsciously glanced at what Yuan Xinkang had brought.
After Yuan Xinkang brought the things inside, he also came out and helped pick up the chopped firewood, piled it into a heap, and placed it in the corner of the wall.
Fang Meixiang's father glanced at him, wanting to tell him to stop, but then he caught sight of Fang Damiao out of the corner of his eye and didn't say anything.
"Xin Kang, you don't need to be busy," Fang Damiao said first.
"It's alright, the three of us can work faster together." Yuan Xinkang didn't stop what he was doing.
Fang Dongqiang and a group of children ran over.
"Dongqiang, look who's here!"
"Second Uncle," Fang Dongqiang called out, "I'm going to get some water."
As Fang Dongqiang walked to the door, his eyes were immediately drawn to the gleaming black object at the entrance.
His feet seemed rooted to the spot, perched on the threshold, while the thought in his heart pounded like a little rabbit inside him—the bicycle he had been longing for for so long.
Fang Damiao saw through his thoughts. "Xinkang, Dongqiang has been wanting to ride a bicycle. Why don't you take him for a ride?"
"Alright!" Yuan Xinkang clapped his hands together and walked over. "Dongqiang, would you like a seat?"
Fang Dongqiang nodded, clutching the hem of his clothes.
Yuan Xinkang scooped Fang Dongqiang up and placed him on the crossbeam in front of the car.
"Hold on tight!" "Oh, Dongqiang, would you like to get some water first?"
"No, no!" Fang Dongqiang excitedly shook his legs.
Yuan Xinkang gripped the handlebars, pushed off with his foot, and the bicycle started moving with a creak.
Fang Dongqiang immediately rang the bicycle bell, "Ring ring—ring ring—"
The crisp sound of the bell rang out, and Fang Dongqiang's mouth stretched from ear to ear. His little face, red from the cold, couldn't hide his happiness.
Looking at him, Fang Damiao forced a stiff smile, her hands unconsciously clenching the hem of her clothes, her whole body exuding an indescribable sense of helplessness and frustration.
Yuan Xinkang took him for a spin, and Fang Dongqiang rang the bicycle bell to greet his playmates.
"Isn't it impressive?" Yuan Xinkang asked him.
Fang Dongqiang nodded vigorously.
After completing the round trip, when the car was parked back in front of his grandmother's house, Fang Dongqiang's hand was still reluctant to leave the bicycle bell.
Yuan Xinkang lifted it down, and as soon as his feet touched the ground, he looked back at the bicycle, his eyes shining brighter than the sun in the snow.
Tomorrow is market day again.
Fang Damiao went to the tractor driver and asked him to save a seat for him, as he would also be going to the market tomorrow.
"There are so many people going to the market before the Lunar New Year, all the spots for tomorrow have already been booked. Da Miao, you're making so much money outside, why don't you buy a bicycle?"
“If I’m staying home all the time, there’s no need to buy anything. I’ll be going out again after the fifteenth of next year, so there’s no need to buy anything in these few days,” Fang Damiao quickly explained.
"Yes, that's true."
After returning from the driver's house, Fang Damiao went home first and took 20 yuan from under the cabinet.
Carrying the money, he went to Fang Meixiang's house and said, "Mom, I want to go to town tomorrow to buy some New Year's goods. There are no seats left on the tractor, so you can take this money and buy them yourselves."
"No need, you can keep it."
Fang Damiao put the money on the table. "Yes, Mother, I won't buy anything."
"No need to buy, no need to buy, we have food at home." Fang Meixiang's mother tried to refuse, but Fang Damiao had already turned and walked out.
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